Writing task 2 - Universities vs Employers

[azamated]

Essay topic: Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.
What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university?


Some people believe that degree should be more tailored towards the needs of businesses while others think that universities should follow standard degree programs. It is agreed that higher education should prepare students for employment and meet employers’ needs by offering students more work experience and employment skills.

Students should be taught workplace skills because employers do not have time and resources to instruct and to tutor newcomers. According to the latest study, about 2 in 6 employers are dissatisfied with graduates’ skills and competencies when they apply for jobs. Also, one of the main reason why people go to universities is finding a prestigious highly paid job after the graduation. However, this is quite difficult without relevant work experience and expertise. For example, a company can find experienced professionals who can demonstrate their competencies immediately. Thus, universities should include work experience and internship as standard with their courses.

Moreover, employers expect graduates to demonstrate a range of skills and attributes. That include team-working, leadership, communication, critical thinking and problem solving, and managerial abilities. For instance, fresh employees can immediately join complex projects by giving good ideas and advice. Also, these skills are useful not only in a workplace but in daily life. Obviously, universities should revise their study plan and include the employment skills as well.

In conclusion, a standard university syllabus gives comprehensive education which is definitely merit but, in my opinion, higher education should also give more work experience and internship along with employment skills which are very useful. In overall it allows graduates to compete with experienced professionals equally and succeed in their career.

[David.IELTS.Examiner]

Hello!

Overall, quite good, but I have some suggestions ...

1. Your points are good, but presented in a very basic way. For example, you mention management abilities. What are these? Why don't students have them? What about students who have work experience? You also mention 'giving good advice', but don't students do this when they are discussing projects or having seminars? If not, why not?

2. How can universities include these things? Work placements (internships)? How can they arrange these? Why don't they do it already? (I mean, business studies isn't a totally new subject - Harvard has been teaching it for decades!

3. The final sentence is highly debatable and needs explanation. In other words, you need to include it as a main paragraph, not in the conclusion.

Vocabulary is good and so is grammar, despite some mistakes. Grammatical range is good.

All the best,
David

[azamated]

Dear David, thank you very much!